Expert Dental Care

White Fillings

Premier Dentistry for Denver, Cherry Creek & Englewood, CO

In general, fillings can help treat cavities, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or teeth that have been worn down over time. White fillings are a safe, reliable filling option that can address these issues. At our practice, we believe our patients' smiles should be flawless, strong and healthy. White fillings not only have an aesthetic advantage, but they can also lead to a healthier smile long term.

Our dentists at DeWitt Dental Associates can help you get the smile of your dreams. If you are experiencing cracked, chipped or decaying teeth, white fillings may be the right option for you.

Give our office a call at 303-566-4036 to schedule your initial consultation. We are proud to deliver beautiful results to patients in Denver, Cherry Creek and the surrounding Colorado communities.

What are White Fillings?

White fillings are made of a composite resin material that provides patients with a more advanced technology than traditional silver fillings or any other filling material that has been proven to have lower success rates and can potentially cause further health issues. The material used in white fillings is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture that can effectively restore your teeth and prevent further tooth decay.

The material used in white fillings is also used for cosmetic dental procedures such as dental bonding. Patients experience various benefits when opting for white fillings when compared to traditional methods and techniques.

Advantages of White Fillings

The advantages of white fillings include:

Aesthetics: The shade and color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of your existing teeth. Composite fillings are particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of your smile. Ultimately, white fillings provide patients with natural looking results.

Mercury free: Because white fillings do not use a metal mixture containing mercury, they are mercury free unlike silver amalgam fillings.

Greater preservation of natural tooth enamel: In some cases, the process of white fillings may remove less tooth structure when compared to traditional amalgam fillings.

Bonding to tooth structure: White fillings actually chemically bond to the tooth structure, providing further support and a tighter seal, ultimately preventing further tooth decay.

Do not expand and contract with temperature changes in your mouth: Traditional filling options tend to expand and contract with temperature changes in your mouth. This can cause discomfort and additional cracking in your teeth. However, because white fillings are made of a resin-glass mixture, they do not expand due to changing temperatures.

Traditional silver fillings are made of a metal amalgam, while white fillings are made of composite resin. Metal fillings contain mercury, which many of our patients prefer to avoid having in their teeth.

What Steps are Involved in Filling a Tooth?

Filling teeth that show any sign of tooth decay is important in maintaining a healthy smile. But how, exactly, does the process work in regards to white fillings?

First, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth that needs to be filled. Next, an instrument or laser will be used to remove the decayed area.

Your dentist will test the area to ensure all of the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. The tooth-colored composite material is then applied in layers, and a special light cures, or hardens, each layer applied. When the multi-layering process is completed, your dentist will shape the composite material to the desired result, trimming away any excess material and polishing it for a final restoration.

Be aware that after receiving white fillings, you may experience postoperative sensitivity and slight shade discoloration. Your dentist can put a clear plastic coating over the composite to help prevent the color from changing, especially if the filling is near the front of your smile.

Should You Replace Your Amalgam Silver Fillings?

If you have old metal dental fillings, there are a number of reasons to consider having them replaced. Aesthetics aside, metal fillings have the capacity to chip, crack, or break teeth as they expand and contract with temperature fluctuations in the mouth. These changes in size can also allow metal fillings to come loose or fall out completely–both of which can create discomfort and increase risks for serious damage to your smile.

In many cases, replacements for metal fillings come only after amalgams have damaged the teeth. In these instances, our dentists often recommend same-day dental crowns to fully protect those teeth weakened and damaged by metal fillings. Our dental crowns are manufactured on-site using advanced CEREC technology and have the capacity to fully restore the appearance and strength to your smile in a single office visit.

If damage is not severe, we may suggest an inlay or onlay instead of a dental crown. This is something that will be based on your specific needs and can be discussed as appropriate during your visits to our office.

How Should You Care For Your Teeth With Fillings?

To maintain fillings, you should follow a good oral hygiene routine, which includes:

Visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day

Flossing daily

Use antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day

However, despite taking the proper precautions, you may still experience an issue with your filling. Fortunately, working with our dentists can help address any dental issue you may have.

If you suspect any of the following, you should make an appointment as quickly as possible:

Your filling may be cracked

Your filling doesn't fit tightly against the tooth

Your tooth is extremely sensitive

You notice a piece of the filling is missing

X-rays may be taken to confirm any issues with your fillings.

Halting the Progress of Tooth Decay

It's important to stop tooth decay before it gets worse. Cavities will not be apparent to you and do not always cause symptoms, which is why it is important to schedule routine exams and cleanings with our dental office. We can help prevent tooth decay and we will spot cavities if they should develop. If cavities go undetected and untreated, they can lead to a serious tooth infection that may require a root canal treatment.

Fortunately, white fillings have a high success rate in stopping tooth decay in its tracks. After the decay has been cleaned out of your tooth, the white filling is used to protect the tooth from further damage. These dental fillings are quite strong, but it is still important to avoid habits like chewing ice to prevent breaking your teeth and your white fillings.

How DeWitt Dental Associates Can Help

Our experienced dental team at DeWitt Dental Associates has years of combined experience with delivering beautiful, healthy smiles to patients all around Colorado. We utilize advanced technology to make sure your experience is informative and relaxing.

By providing various dental treatments, including white fillings, we can be sure to help you with you and your family's oral healthcare needs. Services we provide include:

To fully determine which type of dental treatment is right for you, or which type of filing best fits your needs, our dentists will meet with you in person to discuss your oral healthcare goals and needs. Together, we will formulate your personalized treatment plan so you can get the smile you want to achieve.

Get While Fillings For Your Teeth

If you are in the Denver, Englewood, or Cherry Creek area and would like to learn more about white fillings, other filling options or any other effective dental care, give our office a call at 303-566-4036 to schedule your initial consultation or routine exam with one of our knowledgeable dentists.

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Cosmetic dentist Dr. DeWitt has posted this website about cosmetic dentistry treatments for informational purposes only. The content within these pages should not be perceived as formal dental advice, nor does the understanding constitute a formal relationship with Dr. DeWitt. Contact our office to schedule a consultation for formal advice. We are happy to assist patients in Denver, Cherry Creek, and surrounding areas.